A Vintage Project Update _ Chain Link Afghan

 

I've been working on the Chain Link Afghan as my first in the Craft Book series. Here it is, so far:

The Chain Link Afghan

Things I'm liking so far... I found some beautiful yarn to work with. The picture doesn't do it justice, really. I'm sure that is a reflection of my phone photo skills (that I don't really have the interest in doing the work to improve much). This afghan is coming together pretty quickly, too, actually. It is worked in columns (up and down) instead of rows, If that matters, but they go pretty quickly. Mostly single crochet, which is an easy stitch, and pretty basic for anyone interested in trying it out for themselves.

Here are the yarns I'm using

There are also some changes that I've made, the most important of which has to do with chains of diamonds that you can see here. They are basically four rows of four single crochet, only I didn't like how the pattern built them into the blanket. So - of course - I changed it. I'm adding an extra row of single crochet to the diamonds so that I can connect them to the work in progress more securely. That makes me happier than having it full of "holes," or basically only connecting the diamonds at the corners. (OK, I just thought of this, that those connection points may make it more like the fencing) When the pattern calls for two rows of ripple between the diamond "rows" the connections seem to me more consistent. So, yeah, mine may not lie as flat as the original, but also, it may be a matter of blocking. IF I bother to do that.

Over all, I am really happy with the project so far. I feel like it won't take a super long time, even though I'm making a fairly large piece. The border rows around the outside of the piece will take longer to crochet, and I may have something to say about that before I'm done...

Here's their version

Projects Update

 

Yes, I said projectS. Like I would only be working on one at a time... ha ha ha ha ha...

Wanna hear about eyeballs? After a conversation with my eyeball enablers, We came up with a couple of project ideas, and I finished one yesterday.

Eyeball bolas

"Weaponized" eyeballs, throw these at someone and trip them up. Theoretically, at least. I know, now you're thinking I'm weird... (really? only NOW???) These won't be going to the fair, but they will be going to someone who will love them, and pet them, and... Oh, you know the rest.

On to other projects. This one isn't technically mine, but I've encouraging a friend of mine to take up crafting again. She has loved it in the past, and although she is still working through some physical challenges, I feel like with a little encouragement, she's totally got this! She finished a fabric box today, with pieced sides, and a lining that makes it reversable. Now she can take on the next project! Woo! She also made a couple of coasters.

fabric box!

reversable!

I did some sewing myself, today. I finished the mosaic block that I had started, and then started another one. 

Finished, but not perfect...

For the most part, my seams met pretty well, except for some not-straight sewing that cause some distortion in the block, and the last seam that joined the two half blocks together. This block is definitely going to take some practice. The small-ish pieces would also make me a little crazy if I was trying to build a whole quilt with it at this point. It won't be the last one I make, though because I want to play with the colors more (I keep trying to make it a kaleidoscope block). In addition, I've already started the second mosaic block.

Mosaic block 2

Quite a different color palette than the first. Ironing the seams open this time to see if that makes a difference in the distortion, and makes it a little easier for my machine to handle the layers. The next time I do one of these, I think I will make all the small half square triangle the same fabric, and see how that looks.

I have been playing with some of the small triangles in another way. I saw someone make a quilt as you go flying geese block, or maybe it was a strip of them. So, I tried it. I don't think I really got far enough with it to have any final thoughts, except in seems to be working OK.

An experiment in tiny flying geese

Now, it's time for a gardening update. Yeah, it's one of my projects right now... I did actually harvest a tomato, and it was delicious. But here's my one bell pepper (speaking of tiny stuff). I'll have to try the bell pepper again next year. 

Sigh.

I'm already planning my garden efforts for next year, in fact. Containers again. A bee watering station. I'm going to put it in a different location, hopefully a little more sheltered from the wind. And a few more crops. I may even try the 3 sisters combination.

Finally, I started a new project. I blogged about it here, and you can read about that if you want to. I found yarn I wanted to use, a beautiful wool and silk blend and a dark magenta-ish to go with it. The afghan is called Chain Link, and I've got the beginning "backbone" of  it almost complete.

Here's more or less how it will look

Here's what I've got so far

Thanks for browsing!

A Vintage Crochet Project

 

I have a ton of crafting books and magazines, and I've been thinking for a while, that I should look through these crafting resources, and pick a project to complete from each one to share on my blog. So, I picked Issue #5 from Sept/Oct 1987 of Hooked on Crochet to find the first project. Why this particular issue of this particular magazine? Well, it was in my craft room, for just this purpose, in a plastic shoebox of other issues, and it was the first one to hand. 

Can I find a project??

So what are my expectations from this challenge? (Yes, I expect that picking and completing a project from each of these crafting magazines is a challenge). Like this issue, from 1987, styles have changed, so one challenge will be to find a project that interests me. I really don't have any use for a doily collection, for example. Or sheets and pillow cases decorated with crochet.

Bed Set

While I would be willing to consider a sweater project, especially one for a kid, especially a sweater vest out here in NM, this one is - at least to me - a "NO."

No. Just, no.

Keep turning the pages. Surely there is something! Maybe a piano scarf? Uh, no, I don't have a piano. Much less a piano that needs a scarf (see doily. BIG doily). Don't need the Baby Set. I think we're all over crocheting a cover for a box of tissue, right?

How about an afghan? Well, I hadn't really thought about doing anything that big, but it does fit with the blanket projects that Charitable Crafting is working on. OOOhhhh these look nice...

The Chain Link afghan

Shells and Ripples afghan

Oh, man, those browns and golds. They do speak to me of my younger years... But, thankfully, I am not tied to them. Even if it was still 1987, and I was going to make one of these, I would have picked my own colors. For this project,  I will be choosing yarn from my own stash, and what is available from Cruces Creatives. This will take longer than I really planned for a project, but I really like these afghans. I am going to work on the Chain Link, with the possibility of then moving on to Shells and Ripples if the instructions are well written, and go pretty fast.

What is going to happen to these projects when I'm done? Well, I think you can tell this one will be donated to the blanket project, potentially going to Community of Hope, a local homeless shelter. Others may be donated to school clothing closets, or other places. Maybe given as gifts, if appropriate. Just know that I'm not keeping all of them. I'll be updating on the progress of this afghan soon!

Quilt Progress is Learning

 

I got an Accuquilt cutter for my birthday. With it, you buy dies that cut fabric into the pieces you need to make a quilt block. There are several reasons to get one. For instance if you have a hard time cutting the pieces, for whatever reason, it makes it much more physically in reach. Also, if you are like me, and have a hard time cutting the pieces consistently, it definitely makes the pieces VERY consistent.  BUT there is a learning process with it. I mean, if you are cutting half-square triangles, you can put the right side of the fabric face up or face down, and it won't make much difference. Some of the other shapes, however are not as forgiving. It takes practice.

Yesterday, I cut pieces for a couple of mosaic blocks, for the first time. Yeah, I ended up with more of some parts of the block than I did the other. And I have "extras" for the future. Yeah. Extras. Today, I got some of the sewing done. Here's how that went.

The first mosaic block in process

I think the block when finished, will look pretty good, although I am glad to be able to practice it a few times. Is this my next quilt? you may ask. No. I will make my practice blocks into mug rugs, or maybe a fabric box. They are supposed to be 10" blocks, and that might be a bigger box than I would really like. We'll see...

I will say that I'm putting to use some of the quilt building techniques making this block, however. Pins, for one thing. Yep, I don't like using them because they take time to put in, and put away, and then, I drop them on the floor and make a mess. But really, I do try to keep them out of Pin Killer's clutches. (OK, OK, that IS the name of the sewing machine I use most of the time.) I think I got my pieces matching up pretty well this time, but while I will practice that, I won't live or die by it. Ever.

Pin Killer doesn't like sewing more than 4 layers of fabric, really, even this relatively light cotton. I think I'm going to try my older Singer on the next mosaic that I make. So, that is something else I'm learning: different machines are good at different things. OK, I really already knew that, but I'm learning to use them and find what they are good at, and take advantage of that knowledge.

Another quilt I've been working on is the current Charitable Crafting quilt. Many of the other people working on that quilt have much more knowledge of making quilts than I have, and I am learning a lot from them. Learning where being careful makes a difference. Learning about process, and thoughtfulness. Learning about using pieces that were made by others, and integrating them into the whole. 

A view of the first 5 rows 

Most of the blocks for this quilt were made sort of crazy quilt fashion, by various volunteers. Some, however, are created by using "orphan" blocks. Blocks that were created for other quilts, but didn't get incorporated, or the quilt was never completed, and the pieces have been donated to Cruces Creatives. Several of the people who help with Charitable Crafting make quilts for Linus projects, and have used some of these donations as part of one or another of their quilts. We have found them a beautiful addition to this project as well. I've learned how to use a walking foot, and a free motion quilting foot to help turn them into quilt as you go blocks. Recently, I saw someone making quilt as you go flying geese using half square triangles, and now I want to try that, too!

Of course Roxanne and I are working on some quilt construction together, finishing up the quilt tops that we started years ago. I need to go back to mine and finish up sewing the rows I made together, and get it quilted and finished! I know so much more about the whole process now than I did when we started those. And quilting is so much more than block making (although I will confess, the block making is my favorite part, so far).

Is Gardening Creative?

 

For purposes of this blog, I'm calling it creative. It is definitely a learning experience, and I have strong feels about being a life-long learner. So here we go!

I come from families that included many farmers, and garden people. My mom had a big garden in our backyard, and grew roses, and all sorts of things around our house. Even when she could no longer go out and garden, my dad would work on having a crop of tomatoes every summer. Before them, gardens were a thing that you did so you got enough food on your table. I, however, am a pretty poor excuse for a garden person. 

While I would love to have a crop of summer tomatoes, my efforts were sadly troubled. One year, I planted  several tomato plants, got _one_ tomato to take, and then the birds ate it before I could. ARGH! Another year, Carl and I experimented with a raised garden and planted a variety of tomato plants. I don't think they had enough root space, and didn't thrive. I do think we had a good idea by getting a table that allowed drainage, though.

During the pandemic, my front yard thrived. I was up early, and would water before the heat set it. I would pull some weeds before I went for a walk, and after I got home. I would sit under my tree in the shade and look in wonder at one of the best yards in my section of the street. (when I first moved into my neighborhood, two of the families across the street from me must have been in competition for the best lawn, but sadly they are no longer in the neighborhood)

Now, in my retirement, I'm thinking about trying some gardening again, encouraged by the efforts of a friend, who is also interested in fresh, healthy foods. She found a couple of containers for us to try out. One was a tower that had room for about one plant in each spot. Another find were some awesome container grow bags, and she gave me a couple to try out.

Tower Garden

Here is my tower. I planted the tower twice. The first time I planted mint, basil, some marigolds on the bottom, and rosemary, I think. I put it on an end table, and just as some things (not all the things) were sprouting, we had some strong winds, and it blew off the table. I set in upright, and rescued the sprouts I could, and several days later, added some already established marigolds in the bottom tier, Some other things (not sure I remember, and they didn't sprout anyway) in the next two tiers up, some onions in the second tier from the top and radishes in the top. I had tried the trick of sprouting new celery from  the bottom of the bunch by putting it in water for a while, and that is what is in the container in the top center. The basil has taken off, and grown really well. It smells so good! my radishes had their leaves eaten off, so I harvested the tiny radishes and we ate them. But they were tiny. I have some onions growing, and they seem to be doing OK, but the poor marigolds were done in. I think spiders got them. 

Salsa garden container

I started the salsa garden with plants already established. A bell pepper, a tomato and a basil (wasn't sure at the time my other basil would take hold). I also planted some onion seeds in here, but they never took hold, which maybe just fine because the other three really started to grow! 

my blurry tomatoes

I have three tomatoes growing on this plant. I've got some yellow leaves happening and I don't know why. (see, gardening has a learning curve) but I'm encouraged because it has already done better than my previous tomato endeavor! I also have a pepper growing. The basil has absolutely grown like crazy, and I've staked them so they share their space.

Blue Lake green beans

A couple weeks ago, I planted this other grow bags with some green beans. I was gone for a couple days, and found three had already sprouted when I got home. I think there are seven total plants in here at this point, and they sure are taking off. Wow!

Now, the learning process. I would like to get them up off the ground for some pest control. Not sure how that will work with the tower. But still a possibility. May need to treat the area for spider control before I plant. I would like to add more sand into my planting mix, I think some of the plants will do better. ALSO, by next year, my fried will have some compost for me. I'm contributing to her efforts, and she will share with me. I'm also thinking I will move them to the back yard, and up against the side of the house instead of the front. More morning sun, a bit of a wind break. I also have a place I can set up tables there. I will be shopping for "new" seeds next year as well. I think that was a problem with some of what I planted. 

Finally, I'm looking forward to these irises blooming next year. I got them at a seed share, and they seem to like this pot! The leaves have gotten much taller since I took this picture.

Seed share irises

General Update

 It has been almost 3 weeks since I've posted here. I don't know that I have an entire cohesive post to talk about, but I don't want to loose the habit all together. That's too easy to do. So here are some updates:

I've made additions to the Christmas is in the Eye of the Beholder Collection. Here are a couple of group photos of my progress:

Group shot of 1 - 7

Then we have numbers 8 and 9

I got some gold yarn that I like in the mix. You can see it on the far right in the top photo and in the eye in the lower one. I also got a silvery one that you can't see very well in the left one on the lower photo. I like that silver pretty well and I wish you could see it better. 

It is becoming the eyeball army, and I'm looking forward to picking out some to enter into the fair this fall. I'm still interested in feedback on them.

Next are some sewing projects. I finished this little dress for my annual kids' clothes project. I make kids' clothes because I like to. I donate them for kids who need help getting school clothes. In some ways, I wish I could hear how the new owner likes what I make. On the other hand, maybe I don't want to know... Sigh. Kids are allowed to have opinions, and to decide what THEY like. I'll just pretend in my head that there's some kid out there that's going to have their new favorite outfit. At least they will get to have something new.

A cheerful dress

Finally, I'm going to update the progress that Charitable Crafting has been makin on the second quilt we are making as a group. We are in need of only a few more blocks. Several rows have been sewn together, and I have another one it my bag to sew together. Ok, I also have a couple of the last blocks we need, too. This project has really taught me some about the process of quilt building. Block building, too, actually. While there is no "wrong way" to finish these blocks, some accuracy makes a difference. I'm learning to pay attention to it. It's kind of cool to me, even.

Some blocks

Maybe I'll even take more pictures of the work I've done on this quilt. Or maybe the next one. Of course we're already talking about the next one!!

Christmas is in the Eye of the Beholder

 

Not too long ago, when I was making eye monsters, I noticed something about the eyeballs. They fit perfectly into the palm of my hand, like a Christmas ornament. A Christmas ornament??? Yeah. pretty much. I know you might think it is weird to think about a Christmas ornament eyeball, but that is exactly what I did. 

Crafting isn't just about following a pattern, or making what someone else has made. It is about exploring, and creativity, and taking something, and running with it. So I did.

Festive, right?

I can't tell you how much these amuse me. I picture them hanging in a decorated tree, and watching all the festivities (or the pets, sniffing around the tree). Are they judging? Are they gathering info for their alien masters? I dunno. Maybe. I know, though, that they aren't everyone's cup of tea. Nothing is everyone's cup of tea. Not even cups of tea.

They go pretty fast, and are really pretty easy, once you're familiar with the pattern, which is perfect for making a set of them. How many is in a set? I dunno, probably somewhere between 6 and 12. Depends on whether I get bored or tired of making them. Or how much Christmassy/festive yarn I find and want to buy.

Here's looking at YOU, kid!

Things that I have done similar to other eye creatures I have made: I used different yarns for the irises. I like how that gives a little depth to the eye. I've done a black with a little hint of color in it for the pupils, and not added a plastic safety eye in there (which I did use in the others). I will experiment some with the eye colors of these, because the results will interest me. For example, I made this one with a red eye.

Sauron is looking a little festive this year

I like it, but it could get too much, I think. I hope the outside kinda tones it down a little. What do you think?

Yeah, festive.

Talking about yarn, the yarn for the eyelid of this one was a brand I don't usually buy, but it was a color I hadn't seen, and had that strand of silver in it for that festive touch. But the hook went through the yarn easily, as it isn't wound very tight, and that made it difficult to crochet with, since I'm using kind of a small hook. Sigh.

Any way, I don't expect everyone to want these. I couldn't make that many anyway. But I would like to get a little feedback. I know, you think I'm weird. But is that a bad thing? I don't think so.

So this set of creatures are called, "Christmas is in the Eye of the Beholder." For those of you who have never been into Fantasy books, or Role Playing Games, Beholders are monsters that look like an eye. See what I did there? Of course you did!